Tom Poorman was a versatile baseball player. He was regularly a right fielder for several minor and major league teams from 1875-1889. A small man in stature, he also pitched throughout his career. He stole 88 bases as a major leaguer in 1887, with the Philadelphia Athletics, and 97 with Milwaukee, in the 1889 minor leagues.
His family history is noteworthy in the history of both Pennsylvania and the town of Lock Haven, PA. His father was a tailor for three decades. An older brother was a Union soldier who died at the Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia, in 1862. Members of his family spread out, living in Pennsylvania towns like Williamsport, Wilkes-Barre, Allegheny, Edenburh, Erie, and Salona.
As a baseball historian, I hope my effort entices other writers to look closely at the pre-modern era of baseball. Many largely statistical books have been written, but the "less than spectacular" players of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, like Tom Poorman, are virtually unknown to readers. More research and writing needs to be done regarding this era of baseball history.
